Nodding, I have to bite down on my bottom lip to quench the sob from tearing through me. I’ve got this. I can do this. I’mon the biggest stage with the capability of making the biggest difference by just being myself, trying my best, and being honest about what I’m going through. I can do that.
We get through the anthem and an honorary puck drop, and by the time everyone is setting up at center ice, I feel ready. More ready than I ever have before.
Stretching my neck side to side, I take a deep breath and exhale as the world around fades away, everything but this game.
And finally, Big Mac, the one everyone knows and loves, shows up tonight, and we win, beating the Washington Wild, three to zero.
Shay’s waiting for me in her car with the biggest smile when I get in. Unfortunately for her, she’s going to have to be my chauffeur because what if she’s the good-luck charm to my game? She didn’t drive me when we lost, but magically, when she did, we won. I don’t think she’ll mind though.
“You kickedass,” she squeals. “Matt, some of those saves?” Lifting her fist to her mouth, she groans. “We’re incredible, like straight out of The Matrix. What the hell? That was insane. I’m so proud of you.”
She’s practically vibrating in her seat, and my heart feels like it’s going to thump out of my chest and jump into her hands. But to be fair, she already owns it.
“Thank you,” I murmur, feeling like a thousand bucks but equally nervous because I know we aren’t done yet.
“Ahh,” she cheers. “You looked so good out there.”
“You looked great tonight too.” I smirk, and she glances over, rolling her eyes. “I mean it. That pink suit, phew, I think it might be my favorite.”
She side-eyes me, her cheeks starting to match her suit. “You just like me in this color. You’re biased. I brainwashed you, only wearing lace in this color.”
I didn’t even think of that, but she could be on to something. Regardless, it doesn’t take away from how incredible she looks, and with her hair loosely curled and pinned back at the sides, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
“I do love it on you, but”—I reach over and palm her thigh, squeezing firmly as she pulls out of the parking garage—“that doesn’t mean that you didn’t look so goddamn beautiful.”
“God, I—” Her words freeze in her lungs.
My heart jumps into my throat at the possibility of what she was about to say. I’ve thought it a thousand times, and I’ve almost said it a million more, but I’ve been waiting for the right moment. But if she’s ready, then, hell, so am I.
“You?” I drag the word out as she turns a brighter shade of red than her top.
“Nothing,” she quips, over enthusiastically shaking her head. “I was going to say … God, I am so excited for the next game. Two days from now, it could all be over.”
I pulse my grip on her leg and brush my thumb over her pants. “And the beginning. The real beginning.”
“Two days,” she murmurs, glancing over at me with stars in her eyes.
I wink, unable to stop the giant smile from taking over my face. “Two days.”
A Britney Spears song comes on the radio, and she gasps, immediately cranking it up. “The universe just knew you needed to hear this!”
Britney starts singing “Oops! I Did It Again” through the speakers, and Shay sings along at full blast.
A laugh tears through me, and I join her, singing along and giving it everything I’ve got as we drive down this New York Street toward my place. She’s dropping me off and then heading home to relieve Kyle’s sitter and stay with him. The night sky is lit up from the bustling city, where dreams are made, and, dammit, I don’t think it could get much more perfect than this.
CHAPTER 22
SHAY
Finally, this morning, I have my therapy appointment with Lorea. It’s not that I’ve been necessarily needing to talk to her, but at this point, we’ve developed a friendship. And as my friend, I have a lot to catch her up on from the last couple of weeks since we last spoke.
I give her the whole spiel about Matt and me giving in to each other one time, well aware it was never just once. I fill her in on some minor details about Matt’s dad, and she gives me a therapist recommendation for him if he needs one, which I plan on telling him about. Lastly, I fill her in on my job and how much I love it. It was never where I imagined ending up when I dreamed of my professional hockey career, but I’m damn proud to be here.
Lately, I’ve been interacting with the fan base more than before. I’ve even spotted a few young girls in the crowd, holding up signs for me instead of one of the players. Somehow, I’ve managed to tune most social negativity out. Helping Matt with that has helped me along the way too.
Honestly, I didn’t even know I could reach a place like this again, and it seems she feels the same way too.
She claps her hands together, beaming into the camera with a big smile. “Ahh, Shay! That’s all so amazing. You’ve really put yourself out there, and look at how it’s panning out,” she squeals. “I could not be prouder of you.” She takes a second to sit with everything I’ve said before following up with, “How is everything going with your arm?”
